Presidential Debate @ Hofstra to Affect NICE Bus Service
On Oct. 16, Hofstra University will host the Presidential Debate at its Hempstead campus. Because of the highest level of security surrounding the event, NICE bus service in the surrounding Nassau Hub area will be greatly impacted.
Multiple road closures and detours will severely restrict travel in the area around the university. NICE bus riders traveling in the area may experience major delays and detours and should plan accordingly.
The Nassau County Police Department and the Secret Service will lock down the area surrounding Hofstra University in phases beginning at 5 a.m. on the morning of the debate and continuing through approximately 11 p.m. Because of the high level of security, NICE bus will not know specifics about closures until just prior to the shut down, but will make every effort to keep passengers apprised of changes to the schedule and when and where buses are running.
The affected bus routes are the n16, n23, n24, n27, n43, n45, n51, n70/71 and Able Ride. Bus stops in the lock down areas will not be serviced at those times, and security demands that specific information regarding service suspension cannot be made available in advance. Able Ride passengers that may be affected will be contacted directly.
Riders should check this website for alerts and the NICE bus Travel Information call center (516.228.4000). NICE bus has distributed flyers and posted signs at all affected bus stops, in the buses, at Nassau Community College and Hofstra University, and at the Hempstead Transportation Center.
August 15th, 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Nassau Community College's New Student Orientation
New students can meet with NICE transit professionals to learn about their best travel options to and from campus. Please come and visit us in front of the CCB building on the NCC campus located at One Education Drive, Garden City, NY. Travel to NCC is easy with NICE's n45 route. For more information, please call 516-228-4000.
August 27-30, 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Nassau Community College's New Student Orientation
New students can meet with NICE transit professionals to learn about their best travel options to and from campus. Please come and visit us in front of the CCB building on the NCC campus located at One Education Drive, Garden City, NY. Travel to NCC is easy with NICE's n45 route. For more information, please call 516-228-4000.
Sepember 20th, 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Senator Hannon's 11th Annual Senior Health Awareness Day
This great event is focused on health education for seniors and will feature interactive displays and free health testing/screenings, as well as flu vaccines. Our NICE transit professionals will be on site to help participents learn about our services, as well as answer any questions. This event will be located at St. Paul's Field House, located at 295 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY. For more information, please call 516-228-4000.
October 18th, 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Senator Fuschillo's Annual Golden Gathering
The Golden Gathering features demonstrations and informational booths focused on the interests and needs of Nassau's senior citizens. Our NICE transit professionals will be on site to help participents learn about our services, as well as answer any questions. This event will be located at the Freeport Recreation Center located at 130 East Merrick Road, Freeport, NY. Travel to this event is easy with NICE's n19 route. For more information, please cal 516-228-4000.
October 19th, 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Senoator Skelo's 10th Annual Golden Gathering
The Golden Gathering features demonstrations and informational booths focused on the interests and needs of Nassau's senior citizens. Free flue vaccinations with also be available. Our NICE transit professionals will be on site to help participents learn about our services, as well as answer any quesitons. This event will be held at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center located at 111 N. Oceanside Road, Rockville Centre, NY. For more information, please call 516-228-4000.
Your Bus Service is Becoming NICE
Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) is the new name of the bus system in Nassau County. The system will no longer be called LI Bus. The new name commemorates the transition from the bus service being part of the regional MTA to being managed by Nassau County and its operating partner Veolia Transportation. Nassau County and Veolia Transportation are committed to providing a well-managed, high-quality bus service available to citizens.
Use Your MetroCard on NICE Bus!
We are delighted to announce that NICE Bus will continue to accept MetroCard ®. It will function in the same way it always has.
NICE buses accept coins and all types of MetroCard ®, the fare card issued by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
You can learn more about the MetroCard ® at the MTA website, http://www.mta.info/metrocard/, including the Reduced-Fare program for qualified riders, fare discounts available and where to buy MetroCard ®.
For information and fares about the Long Island Rail Road, visit http://www.mta.info/lirr/about/TicketInfo/.
Nassau Leaders Approve Contract Creating NICE
Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano recently recognized the County Legislature's Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt and Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams for their bi-partisan cooperation in approving a contract agreement with Veolia Transportation to manage and operate Long Island Bus under a new name - Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE).
The contract maintains current fares, preserves the Able-Ride service area and restores the MTA's planned route cuts while saving taxpayers over $32.4 million annually, and increasing public transparency and accountability.
County Executive Mangano stated: "Nassau's public-private partnership with Veolia symbolizes a new, smarter and more efficient way of providing services in Nassau County. Additionally, true cooperation and input from legislators on both sides of the aisle benefited Nassau residents, taxpayers and riders alike and it is this cooperation that I look forward to in 2012. I want to thank Presiding Officer Schmitt and Minority Leader Abrahams for their tireless efforts to strengthen this contract."
"I am pleased that we are able to continue to provide bus service in Nassau County at a much lower cost to the taxpayer and which freezes current fares," said Presiding Officer Peter J. Schmitt. "By privatizing bus service we will save our taxpayers over $32 million dollars annually."
"The entire Democratic caucus is happy to have worked with County Executive Mangano and his administration, as well as the Republican majority, to negotiate a stronger contract with Veolia," said Minority Leader Elect Kevan Abrahams. "I am especially pleased that the County Executive and Mr. Schmitt agreed with our amendments that provided for better protection for our residents who rely every day on a quality bus system. Approving the contract with Veolia is a great example of working in a bi-partisan manner and is what the taxpayers expect of us."
Nassau’s NICE Bus plan:
- Saves taxpayers $32.4 million annually when compared to the MTA's demand. The annual taxpayer direct subsidy will decrease from $9 million to $2.62 million, saving local taxpayers $6.38 million in addition to not having to pay the MTA $26 million a year.
- Maintains current fares for all of 2012. Fares cannot be raised unless approved by a 100% Nassau County Resident Transit Committee rather than the MTA Board with only one Nassau County representative.
- Preserves the Able-Ride service area for 2012, 2013 and 2014, rather than implement the MTA's proposed cuts.
- Restores the MTA's proposed route cuts.
- Increases public transparency and oversight through the establishment of a Transit Committee, comprised of public transit professionals accountable to Nassau County, to provide quarterly and annual reviews of the private management and operation of the transit system. The Committee will also hold public hearings on proposed changes to routes and/or fares.
- Insures customer satisfaction through an annual customer scorecard that measures time performance, service reliability, trips that are missed and bus cleanliness.
- Consolidates duplicative work and inefficiencies.
